Criminal minds
Friday, July 18th, 2008Safety is something we Torontonians absolutely have to think about. Probably everybody should. But I know people in other areas of Ontario who still don’t lock their doors when they go out because, “nothing ever happens here in ______ !”
I elicit titters from smaller-town friends when I put my purchases in the back of my vehicle and pull the cargo cover over them, something I learned to do here in the Big Smoke after my Jeep was broken into three times in six months. The last time, was because I left only a lunch bag with dry Cheerios in it on the passenger seat. Some optimistic thief must have thought it was a bag full of loose diamonds or cash.
Statistics Canada reports that Toronto is the safest large metro area in the country. We reported fewer crimes than residents in other urban centres with Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton at the top. We used to be the country’s murder leader, but that distinction now goes to Winnipeg. We have one of the lowest rates of violent offences overall.
So why is this happening and why do we still have a perception that this city is unsafe? Well, gun crimes get a lot of attention, even though, in most cases, the public at large hasn’t been at risk. There have been notable exceptions of course, in fact four such incidents so far this year. But they are by and large the exceptions.
Analysts say the aging population base in this city is the reason behind the drop. It seems crime is a younger person’s game. Can we not give a little credit to police as well the community groups that work so hard to keep young people busy and on the straight path? And I think you and I have a responsibility too, to stay vigilant, to report legitimately suspicious activity and to protect ourselves and our property. Even if that means making sure the brown bag with the Cheerios in it is hidden in the glove box.
